We’re still a long way from the 2026 NFL Playoffs, but that won’t stop us from making our weekly playoff prediction. Now that Week 4 is underway, the first quarter of the season is coming to a close. October is here, and it’s really when the weather gets colder and when the games have more weight.
Even when the NFL switches to a seven-team playoff format, there are often good teams on the outside looking in, but one neat statistic that sticks out is that there are only one double-digit winning team in the 17-game era that didn’t make the playoffs, and that would be the 2024 Seattle Seahawks.
So, for most, a team reaching 10 wins is enough to make the postseason. Let’s launch our early playoff predictions now that Week 4 is here.
Updated NFL Playoff Predictions starting Week 4
AFC Playoff Predictions
1. Buffalo Bills, 3-0
It’s hard not to love the way the Buffalo Bills have looked this year, as they won two games in shootout fashion, and won their third in a more sloppy, grind-it-out game. Both are great ways to win and prove that this team can win in multiple ways.
While the defense probably isn’t playing as well as you’d like, they’re 3-0 for a reason and look like a juggernaut.
2. Cincinnati Bengals, 2-1
I am still high on the Cincinnati Bengals and believe this team can and will win the AFC North this year. Joe Burrow can be a top-3 quarterback in the sport when he wants to, and this new-look defense has enough good players. no at least be average this year. It may take some time for the Bengals to really start to gel, but the team is off to a 2-0 start and has shown they can be among the best in the league.
3. Denver Broncos, 2-1
I’m not ready to completely discount the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. They have the best roster in the division and they have the most impressive wins of any team in the division, maybe even the NFL right now, as they mounted two second-half comebacks to beat Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Rams, as they showed signs of their 2025 version.
The Broncos could be just that type of team and could ride their division and possibly conference-best roster to their second straight division title.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars, 2-1
The Jaguars have two blowout wins in three weeks and a close loss in Denver. This group is really for real, people. Jacksonville’s roster isn’t huge, but this team continues to win with the guys they have. I see no reason why this team can’t win the AFC South again.
5. Kansas City Chiefs, 3-0
Kansas City already has half of their 2025 win total here in 2026. While the overall talent of the roster isn’t what it used to be, you’re starting to see signs of the old Chiefs, but a slight drop could be on the table given how tough the schedule is.
6. Baltimore Ravens, 2-1
Baltimore hasn’t endured a ton of injuries this year they could be back in the playoffs. I’m not sure they can do enough to win the division, given that they have a first-year head coach, but unless something drastic happens, the Ravens could easily go 10 or 11 wins and slide into a Wild Card spot.
7. Las Vegas Raiders, 3-0
Maybe the Las Vegas Raiders are real…? Maybe it’s a little premature, but the Raiders look impressive on both sides of the ball. This team just needs to go 7-7 the rest of the way for a 10-win season, which would likely be enough to make the postseason.
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